2008 Dodge Magnum Owner Manual - Page 55

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 55 NOTE: Do not use a clothing bar mounted to the coat hooks in this vehicle. A clothing bar will impede the proper performance of the curtain airbags. Along with the seat belts, front airbags work with the instrument panel knee bolsters to provide improved protection for the driver and front passenger. Side curtain and seat airbags also work with seat belts to improve occupant protection. While the seat belts are designed to protect you in many types of collisions, the front airbags will deploy in moderate to severe frontal collisions. For vehicles so equipped, the supplemental side curtain airbag and front-seat-mounted side airbag on the crash side of the vehicle will also trigger in moderate to severe side collisions. However, even in collisions where the airbags deploy, you need the seat belts to keep you in the correct position for the airbags to protect you properly. Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize the risk of harm from a deploying airbag. 1. Children 12 years old and under should ride buckled up in the rear seat. 2. Infants in rear-facing child restraints should NEVER ride in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger front airbag. An airbag deployment could cause severe injury or death to infants in that position. 3. Children that are not big enough to wear the vehicle seat belt properly (refer to information on Child Restraint in this section) should be secured in the rear seat in child restraints or belt-positioning booster seats. 4. Older children who do not use child restraints or belt-positioning booster seats should ride properly buckled up in the rear seat. Never allow children to slide the shoulder belt behind them or under their arm. 2